A two-quarter program designed to prepare the student for employment as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary to the dentist.  A third quarter is available for preparation of national and state examinations but not required.
 
This program is designed for the dental assistant who has graduated from a dental assisting program that is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR has worked full time as a dental assistant for at least 2 years and is able to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board examination.  The program will cover content that will prepare the student to pass both a written and a clinical examination to become a Washington State, Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA).  Students, upon passing board examinations, can seek licensure to become EFDAs.
 
The course will include the evaluation of the student's ability to perform identified skills under the dentist's general supervision to include: patient oral health instruction, coronal polishing, fluoride treatments, sealants, expose, process and mount dental radiographs, knowledge of dental morphology, pharmacology, emergencies, risk management as related to dental charting, health history alerts, and temporization.
 
Students will cover content which focuses on the didactic, laboratory and clinical components of amalgam and composite curriculum to include: armamentarium; including various matrices, classification of restorations, components of the prepared tooth, materials, composition of amalgam and composite materials, advantages and disadvantages of both materials, indications and contraindication of restoration placement, placement and finishing of composites, placement condensing and carving of amalgams, evaluation of restorations, and occlusal adjustment.
 
The course will cover content on the didactic and laboratory components of taking preliminary and final impressions and bite registrations to include computer assisted design and computer assisted manufacture applications.
 

Admission Requirements/Recommendations

• At least 2 years full time dental assisting work experience to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (which requires 3500 hours current work experience) OR Certificate or Degree from a Dental Assisting program that is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

• Computer skills recommended

• Active email account required

• Each required course for graduation must be completed with a 2.0 grade or better before proceeding to the next quarter.

• Students may repeat an advanced dental assisting course once, but it must be repeated within two years

Admission

Enrollment in the EFDA program is limited to 12 students in the Fall and the Spring. The admissions process is a waitlist. It’s first come first served for candidates who qualify to enter the EFDA program. Email: kammi.whitmire@scc.spokane.edu to have your name placed on the waitlist.
 
Pre-requisites: None
 
Please note: It is strongly recommended that students seek advising from EFDA Program Director prior to having name placed on waitlist.
 

Accreditation/Certification

This program is accredited by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the Washington State Restorative Exam (WARE) and the Western Regional Restorative Examination Board (WREB) for licensure to become an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary.
 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the EFDA program may work in general or pediatric dental offices performing more complex duties than the traditional dental assistant. Duties include; Placing and finishing final composite and amalgam restorations and taking final impressions.
The average expanded functions dental assistant (efda) gross salary in Washington, United States is $52,503 or an equivalent hourly rate of $30. This is 9% higher (+$4,418) than the average expanded functions dental assistant (efda) salary in the United States.